Ethereum News

Ethereum (ETH) was launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of co-founders as the world's first programmable blockchain, enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) that extend far beyond simple peer-to-peer transactions. After transitioning from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake consensus through "The Merge" in 2022, Ethereum now processes transactions more efficiently while maintaining its position as the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 innovation.

The Ethereum ecosystem encompasses thousands of decentralized applications, from DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave to NFT marketplaces, gaming platforms, and layer-2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum and Polygon. Developers, validators, and users interact within this programmable economy where ETH serves as both a digital currency and the fuel powering smart contract execution through gas fees.

CoinDesk covers all aspects of Etherum, from protocol upgrades and scaling developments to DeFi innovation and regulatory implications. Our reporters track everything from Ethereum's roadmap milestones and staking developments to the broader implications of programmable money and decentralized autonomous organizations.

DISCLOSURE: This text was written with the assistance of AI, then reviewed by a person.

Videos

Polygon Joins Disney’s Accelerator Program to Develop AR, NFT and AI Experiences

Ethereum scaling tool Polygon is continuing to expand its Web3 infrastructure through its participation in Disney’s 2022 Accelerator program, designed to spur the growth of innovative companies around the world. "The Hash" squad discusses Polygon's latest moves and the potential outcomes.

Jul 14, 2022

Tech

Ethereum’s Shadow Fork 9 Goes Live in Lead-Up to the Merge

Developers are focused on testing recent updates and the releases used in the previous Sepolia hard fork. "But on a more intensive network.”

By Margaux NijkerkJul 14, 2022

Chinese crypto miner Chandler Guo has launched a campaign to fork the Ethereum blockchain and create a spinoff, hewing to the “proof-of-work” (PoW) system that it uses now. (bildanova/500px/Getty Images)

Videos

Vitalik Buterin Strikes Back at Proof-of-Stake Critics

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin took to Twitter to defend the blockchain’s historical move to proof-of-stake (PoS), responding to critics suggesting digital assets secured by such consensus mechanisms are securities. “The Hash” team discusses Buterin’s comments ahead of the upcoming merge.

Jul 13, 2022

Markets

Wobble in stETH's Price Shows Fear Celsius Might Dump $435M Stake

The discount on stETH, a derivative of ether, surged as the crypto lender reclaimed and then transferred almost 10% of the total supply of the token.

By Krisztian SandorJul 13, 2022

A key market metric known as the "stETH discount" suggests market speculation that Celsius Network might dump a big stake. (Creative Commons, modified by CoinDesk)

Layer 2

What’s in Your Bear Market Backpack?

From existential dread to blissful ignorance — reactions to Ethereum’s market slump vary across the board

By Sam Kessler, Margaux Nijkerk, Sage D. YoungJul 13, 2022

Markets

Celsius Pays Off Aave Loan, Moves $418M 'stETH' Stack to Unknown Wallet

The liquidity-stricken crypto lender fully paid off its debt to the decentralized finance protocol, freeing $26 million in tokens as part of its latest debt restructuring maneuver.

By Krisztian SandorJul 12, 2022

Consensus 2019 Alex Mashinsky Founder and CEO Celsius Network (CoinDesk)

Tech

Arbitrum’s New Chain Arbitrum Nova Is Open to Developers

Nova is intended to be used for social applications and gaming, while the Arbitrum mainnet will continue to be available for NFT and DeFi projects.

By Margaux NijkerkJul 12, 2022

The co-founders of Offchain Labs, the firm behind Arbitrum. (Offchain Labs)

Markets

Celsius Reclaims $410M of 'stETH' Tokens After Paying Down $81M Debt to Aave

The embattled crypto lender Celsius is inching closer to fully paying off its loans from decentralized finance protocols, reducing its outstanding debt to $59 million.

By Krisztian SandorJul 12, 2022

Alex Mashinsky, founder and CEO of Celsius Network, at Consensus 2019 (CoinDesk)

Finance

SSV DAO to Distribute $10M in Grants for Staking Projects Ahead of Ethereum Merge

The organization will distribute grants in USDC, ETH and SSV tokens.

By Elizabeth NapolitanoJul 12, 2022

Learn

What Is the Ethereum Name Service? How ENS Works and What It’s Used For

The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) takes inspiration from a technological challenge first contended with when the U.S. military was developing the building blocks of the internet.

By Stephan RothJul 11, 2022